As for the title of this post I had to work hard. My current mood is rather annoyed, due to my unfortunate experience seeing, and being part of creating, the sad state of the East Indiaman.
The Swedish East India ship Götheborg with her miles of hemp rigging, acres of sun bleached flax canvas, and thousand oak tree hull, is perhaps the most amazing and complete replica sailing ship on the ocean today. That is what I love abut this ship. The smell of the tar and sweet salt breeze as I sit on the sun kissed foredeck, happily repairing a worn preventer brace with a long splice, it's a slice of heaven. The sounds of the oak and the rig working together to gracefully caress her way through the testing sea makes she ship seem so alive.
Why am I annoyed? Two ships in one. The Organization around the East Indiaman has a saying about the ship, that it's two ships in one. On the one hand we have this amazing replica ship, the powerful Swedish East India Company trading ship Götheborg, built in the traditional manner with traditional materials and techniques. The lower masts and yards were even scarfed together, seven pieces in the largest mast, all without glue! Eat your heart out West System®! On the other hand we have a fully modernized maze of wires, engines, electronics, PA systems, plumbing, and of course, air conditioning.
I appreciate some of the amenities that this modern ship has to offer, but I could absolutely cut back on mo
st of what we have. My main concern are these giant, overly expensive, air conditioning units being installed all over the ship. The supposed-to-look-traditional to the public eye gun deck already had wires shoved in every corner. Now there are some hideous air conditioning plumbing strung up on either side of the deck, and giant units in the over head, that we will have to find some non-traditional way to conceal to the public. Is the air conditioning needed on the gun deck? No. Is it needed in the living areas of the ship? Probably not, but it may make it a little more comfortable for sailing in the tropics. I hope that the filters do not act as breeding ground for infectious bacteria, that there is not a harsh constant change in temperature every time crew goes below and comes on deck, and I really hope it doesn't break the budget more than the budget may already be broken.The East Indaman is not adrift as the definition states it, but the moorings on the organization are perhaps slowly chaffing away. I feel that the air conditioning on the gun deck may be a step closer to the unfortunate fate of ship becoming a floating restaurant. I hope that is not what the organization is aiming for. A restaurant may produce a quick dollar, or 9.46 kronor, but it is like selling your soul to the highest bidder.
Disgusted....
ReplyDeleteAs a volunteer on the Kalmar Nyckel, I've begun looking up to the East Indiaman as a sibling looks up to his bigger brother and in this instance bigger "sister". I'm struggling to comprehend how such a majestic ship, the most accurate replica known to modern day sailors, can be defiled with AC. Something in my opinion that isn't needed on a traditional sailing ship. As I see it the volunteers, deckhands, and other categories of enthusiasts that you can think of, sail these vessels for their authenticity and period technology. The Gothenburg is a look into the history of human ingenuity to accomplish seemingly inhuman tasks with brains and brawn.
Perhaps the leadership was attempting to look after their crew and patrons by increasing the quality of living and visiting below, which can get insanely hot, but isn't that kind of the point? I don't know, and don't agree with it. Hopefully, this isn't one step closer to the SOIC Gothenburg floating restaurant and dinner cruise.
I greae with you, and i certainly don't think it is a necessity. Of course not, and i think we should cut down our energy using when we're out on the ocean, that's at least half the point of it, to let go, to let loose... you know, from the society we have on land.
ReplyDeleteLet's not take that development to thea sea too, please.